Starbucks recently released new drinks, expanding its menu with fresh new flavors for
the winter season. From TikTok trends to Instagram posts, new drinks and snacks seem to go viral
left and right, but just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s actually good. Are these
trendy menu items actually worth your money?
The Cannon Ball drink is a colorful, limited-time beverage inspired by Mr. Beast’s cannonball
challenge from Beast Games in season 2. The drink starts at $5.25 and is made with lemonade,
Strawberry Acai and Mango Dragonfruit refreshers mixed. It is topped with pieces of
dried strawberries and dragonfruit. Once you shake this drink, it turns into this purple-pink
ombre. “It kinda got this tartness to it, but also sweet…so many flavors all at once, it’s 8/10 for
sure,” said a girl who prefers to remain anonymous. Personally, the Cannon Ball is super
refreshing, with the Mango Dragonfruit flavor standing out the most. It is absolutely delicious
and worth your money. “I think this drink is hella fun to make. I’ve worked at Starbucks for
around a year and never seen a drink like this before…it’s very cool and superior to all the other
refreshers,” A Starbucks employee stated.
The Dubai Chocolate Matcha and Mocha is inspired by the popular Dubai chocolate dessert.
This delicious chocolate goodness starts at $5.75. The Dubai Chocolate Matcha has its
signature matcha with a nutty sweetness of pistachio, a creamy chocolate cold foam, and a salted
brown topping. “It’s definitely different from anything I’ve seen at Starbucks before. I enjoy how
the matcha balanced out the chocolate,” a Starbucks employee said. The Dubai Chocolate
Matcha blends matcha with smooth chocolate, this creates a drink that is both bitter and sweet.
The Dubai Chocolate Mocha combines the Starbucks Espresso Roast with the sweetness of the
chocolate mocha sauce. The mocha has pistachio cold foam and also a salted brown butter
topping. “Tastes way too bitter, but if you’re into mocha and pistachio, you will 100% love this
drink, that’s exactly what it tastes like,” said one student who chose to remain anonymous.
Overall, Starbucks’ newest menu items live up to some of the hype, but not all of it. The Cannon
Ball stands out as a refreshing and creative fun option that appeals to people who are looking
for something different. The Dubai Chocolate Matcha and Mocha offer a richer, more dessert-like
option for a drink. This beverage may not be for everyone. These drinks can be worth it, but it
depends mostly on personal taste. Social media plays a major role in the popularity of these drinks
and shows that viral menu items can be worth trying!